The birds had been declared fit and ready to return to the wild after receiving treatment at the El Valle wildlife recovery centre not far outside the city of Murcia, and their release coincided with one of the regular guided walks designed for children at the park. This one was entitled “Entre dos aguas”, and featured the examples of the Tadorna tadorna species as its surprise star turn!

All eight of the shelducks – six females and two young males - were taken to the centre in El Valle after they were found close to the shore of the Mediterranean in the regional park of Calblanque in May.